The Scottsville address is a little deceptive since it's really off James Monroe Parkway, close to Monticello. Trees line the road on both sides, interrupted by an occasional mailbox. A nearby rooster signals country, but the agent stresses that it's only 8 miles– 15 minutes– from downtown.

The address comes with the benefits of being quiet but not too secluded. A long gravel driveway leads across the three-acre rectangular lot to the house with neighbors on either side. Front and back yards are extensive, flat with established trees. A front porch and back deck— as well as a mulched outdoor room-like area– expand the living space.

A fire pit and a bit of wilderness remind us we're in the country; perennial flowerbeds surround the house. There's no garage, but the backyard shed comes with a riding lawnmower.

Inside, the front door opens right into the living room where a vaulted ceiling expands the space. A corner fireplace adds a little warmth to the openness.

Cheerful paint colors from avocado, powder blue, and cocoa in the bedrooms to purple in the laundry room are welcoming and freshen up the otherwise standard rooms. Gleaming laminate floors also don't hurt. A basic kitchen with two long counters doesn't scream "gourmet," but it does offer ample space and storage for home cooking.

The kitchen and dining area are open to the living room– no formal dinner parties here. The place was clearly made for casual living without much fuss.

To the right of the living room, a good-size master suite has a walk-in closet and a long bathroom with double sinks. Two other bedrooms and a second bath flank the living room on the other side. Each bedroom is large enough to easily accommodate a full-size bed; they're all carpeted, and (who's surprised?) outfitted with the obligatory ceiling fan.

The split floor plan does provide some privacy between the master and the other bedrooms, not often possible in houses with everything on one level.

This house is built for simple, pared-down living– both storage and formality are in short supply. Crawl spaces below and above don't provide much room for extra stuff. While buyers looking in the county might expect more indoor space, this house is really all about the outdoors.

Relatively new construction (2006) means that the house is a turnkey property. While appliances and fixtures aren't top of the line, the owners have taken good care of the place: it's clean and ready for the next owner.

PHOTOS BY SARAH JACOBSON

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